Skip to main content

Brigham Young University

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1903-

Administrative History

Brigham Young University (1903- ) is a university sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo, Utah.

Brigham Young University was established in 1903 in a renaming of Brigham Young Academy. Past and present Brigham Young University presidents include George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), Cecil O. Samuelson (2003-2014), Kevin J. Worthen (2014-2023), and C. Shane Reese (2023- ).

Brigham Young University is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of the Church Educational System (CES). The university is governed by a Board of Trustees, which, since 1939, has consisted of the First Presidency of the Church as well as other General Authorities or general officers of the Church appointed by the First Presidency. The Board of Trustees provides general direction and oversees the formulation of broad policies as well as the approval of all executive leadership and faculty appointments at the university. The Board of Trustees delegates to the University President the responsibility to conduct the operations of the institution and administer the policies enacted by the board. The President serves as the chief executive officer and general manager of the University. Between 1996 and 2014, the President of the university was also been a General Authority of the Church.

Brigham Young University has grown from a small academy to one of the world's largest private universities. Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU offers a unique educational environment that promotes learning by study and also by faith.

Citation:
Its Annual catalog, 1907/08.

BYU--national champions, 1985: intro. (Brigham Young University)

The Journal of pedagogy, Feb. 1895: t.p. (Brigham Young Academy)

History of BYU (within Brigham Young University website), via WWW, 4 November 2010 (Brigham Young Academy established October 16, 1875 in Provo, Utah. Name changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. Sponsored by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, associated with BYU-Hawaii in Laie, Hawaii; BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho; and LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah)

Brigham Young University Organizational History website, via WWW, Mar. 2, 2011 (Brigham Young University; est. 1903; name change from Brigham Young Academy; Presidents: George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), Cecil O. Samuelson (2003-2014), and Kevin J. Worthen (2014- ); owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; governed by a board of trustees)

Brigham Young University website, via WWW, June 22, 2023 (C. Shane Reese; appointed president of Brigham Young University, May 1, 2023)

Found in 57 Collections and/or Records:

Collection of presidential photographs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 946
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of the presidents of Brigham Young University. The photographs are of the presidents, their families, homes, offices, and colleagues. Dated 1875 to 2014.

Dates: 1875-2014

Ernest L. Wilkinson biography, 1977-1980

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1000 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Contains drafts, notes, and correspondence related to Wilkinson's biography prepared by Wilkinson and Glenn V. Bird. Dated 1977-1980.

Dates: 1977-1980

Kevin J. Worthen inauguration program

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232572724]
Identifier: UA 5700
Scope and Contents

Materials consist of Kevin J. Worthen's inauguration program and related material. Dated 2014.

Dates: 2014

Dallin H. Oaks personal papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 5788
Scope and Contents

Contains the personal papers of Oaks from prior to his call as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It includes personal correspondence, research files, legal files, material on various associations that Oaks was active in, material related to his service as a Regional Representative for the Church, and materials from Oaks' academic career as a law student and a law professor.

Dates: 1956-1981

Office of the President general correspondence, 1921-1945

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 1
Scope and Contents Contains the correspondence between Brigham Young University President Franklin S. Harris from his time as president from 1921-1945. Some correspondence contains the response from Harris. On average each year is divided into A-H, I-M, and N-Z. Among those that Harris corresponded with are President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints Heber J. Grant and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, United States Senators and Representatives, educational leaders across the...
Dates: 1921-1945

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and other material produced by Harris during his term as president of Brigham Young University from 1921 to 1945. Among his papers are financial and budget papers related to his years as president, materials related to Brigham Young University facilities maintenance and construction, and materials related to Brigham Young University during World War II.

Dates: 1921-1945

Office of the President records on history and celebrations, 1948-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 23
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, memos and programs pertaining to celebrations and events between 1948 to 1960. The programs are for inaugurations of various university presidents, including Ernest L. Wilkinson.

Dates: 1948-1960

Office of the President records on inauguration, 1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains records of President Holland's inauguration as the university president in 1980. Includes procedures, programs, and invitations for the inauguration and its related events. Also contains related speeches and congratulatory correspondence.

Dates: 1980

Office of the President records on inauguration of Rex E. Lee

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 812
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, recordings, and programs relating to the inauguration of Rex E. Lee as president of Brigham Young University. Dated 1989.

Dates: 1989